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SENDCO – Leadership Role at The Place Independent School
We believe every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive, regardless of the barriers they face. We are seeking an exceptional, passionate, and ambitious SENDCO to join our Leadership Team and shape the futures of young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, and complex vulnerabilities.
This is more than a SENDCO role—you will lead a culture of inclusion, champion safeguarding, influence whole-school practice, and ensure every young person is seen, heard, and supported to achieve their full potential.
About the Role
As SENDCO, you will provide strategic leadership for SEND provision across the school, ensuring all young people receive the highest quality support, intervention, and educational opportunities. You will collaborate with senior leaders, staff, families, and external agencies to create a safe, nurturing, and trauma-informed environment where young people can flourish academically, socially, and emotionally.
You will be a key advocate for our learners, ensuring provisions are responsive, evidence-based, and fully compliant with the SEND Code of Practice, Independent School Standards, and Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & SEND Excellence
- Lead, coordinate, and quality-assure SEND provision across primary and secondary sites.
- Develop and implement a strategic vision for inclusion and SEND excellence.
- Ensure effective identification, assessment, monitoring, and review of SEND/SEMH needs.
- Oversee EHCP implementation, annual reviews, and personalised support planning.
- Monitor intervention effectiveness and ensure measurable student progress.
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Safeguarding & Pupil Welfare
- Act as a safeguarding leader, ensuring prompt identification, recording, and response to safeguarding concerns.
- Promote a culture where safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
- Ensure compliance with KCSIE and statutory safeguarding requirements.
- Collaborate with external agencies, local authorities, and safeguarding partners for optimal outcomes.
Inclusive & Trauma-Informed Practice
- Champion trauma-informed, relational, and therapeutic approaches across the school.
- Support staff in addressing communication, sensory, emotional, and behavioural needs.
- Lead development of personalised provision to empower young people to feel safe, valued, and successful.
- Foster a culture of belonging, dignity, and inclusion.
Partnership Working
- Build strong relationships with families, carers, and professionals.
- Coordinate multi-agency support, case conferences, and planning meetings.
- Support seamless transitions into, within, and beyond the school.
- Ensure young people’s voices remain central in decision-making.
Staff Development & School Improvement
- Provide expert guidance, coaching, and professional development for staff.
- Support colleagues in SEND, SEMH, and safeguarding best practice.
- Contribute to self-evaluation, improvement planning, and inspection readiness.
- Maintain accurate, compliant, and inspection-ready SEND documentation.
What We’re Looking For
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
- National Award for SEN Coordination (NASENCO) (or commitment to obtain within the required timeframe).
- Significant experience working with learners with SEND and/or SEMH needs.
- Strong understanding of:
- SEND Code of Practice
- Independent School Standards
- Ofsted expectations
- Safeguarding legislation
- Experience in leading, coaching, or managing staff.
- Excellent communication, organisation, and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to analyse data, evaluate impact, and drive continuous improvement.
- Child-centred, resilient, and solution-focused mindset.
- Leadership experience in a specialist, alternative provision, or independent school.
- Experience supporting complex SEMH, trauma, or neurodiverse needs.
- Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) qualification or experience.
- Experience working with external agencies and local authorities.
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Why Join The Place Independent School?
At The Place, we create an environment where both young people and staff thrive. Benefits include:
- Supportive, collaborative leadership team.
- Opportunity to shape and influence whole-school inclusion practice.
- Meaningful professional development and career progression.
- A values-led culture focused on compassion, respect, and excellence.
- Term-time pay plus 6 weeks off.
- Team-building events and celebrations.
- Enhanced sick pay.
- Varied, rewarding work.
- 5 Well-being days per year.
- Access to BUPA, internal, and external mental health support.
- Uniform provided.
Safeguarding Commitment
We are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting children’s and young people’s welfare. The successful candidate must:
- Complete an enhanced DBS check.
- Undergo safeguarding checks in line with KCSIE.
- Provide satisfactory references and evidence of qualifications.
- Demonstrate safeguarding commitment throughout recruitment.
This role is full-time (Monday–Friday, 39 hours/week). We uphold safer recruitment practices, equality, diversity, and inclusion.
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